Rescue toboggan



Nov. 28, 1967 v. E. BRADLEY HESCUE TOBOGGAN 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 28, 1965 VICTOR E. BRADLEY INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS V E. BRADLEY RESCUE 'I'OBOGGAN Nov. 28, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 28, 1965 VICTOR E. BRADLEY INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United St es Patent M 3,355,186 RESCUE TOBOGGAN Victor-Earl Bradley, 25802 W. -Valley.Highw ay, Kent, Wash. 98031 filed Dec. 28, 19.65,.Ser. No. 516,865 9 Claims. (Cl. 280-19) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A rescue toboggan having a ,sled bod and a draft harness frame which includes laterally ,spaced side rails with therails being pivotally connected to the sled body adjacent the forward end thereof and'being movable be- ;tween a forwardly extending draft position and a folded position overlying the sled'body. Swingable lock members are mountedon the forward end of the sled body and swingin a path so as to engagethe.respectiveside rails ofthe harness frame when the frame is moved to the extended forward draft position. The lock.members have slots ,to receive the rails of the harness frame and a latch which is pivotally mounted on the lock member. The latch swings across theslot and is .so formed -.as.t0 provide a ,hook portion adapted to engage the associatedrail and to fall by. gravity into engagement with the railwhen the rail is engaged in the slot. The harness=frame may thus be used eitheras afree-piv-oting frame or a rigid frame with respect to the sled body. Thesled body is provided with parallel runners on the under side with the .runners extending from theapproximate longitudinalmid-portion .of a sled andterminating forwardly of the rear end thereof. The blades have runner edges which are forwardly and upwardlyinclined over the major portion of their length in order to cause the runners to tend to ride up on the snow or ice so as to lift the sled body. In addition, the blades are.transverselybevelled upwardly from the outside to the inside face of theblade to form a relativelysharp outside edge for thepurpose of digging into the snow or ice surface to prevent the sled from sliding sideways when traversing aslope or under an unbalanced load.

The present invention relates in general to-toboggan sleds and more particularly to rescue toboggans for removing injured persons from skijslopes or other snow covered terrain in a safeand efficient manner.

According to the present invention, an improved toboggan structure is provided for increasing the utilityand versatility of the device and gfor'improving vtheaperformance of the toboggan sled regardless ofterrain or snow conditions. The. present invention enables a single person to easily handle the toboggan structure both during the time when apatientis being transported downhill and during the time when the toboggan is transported to the patientby meansof any conventional ski tow equipment or other means.

Accordingly the object of the present invention is to provide an improved toboggamstructure having novel runner means for stabilizing the movement of the sled regardless of the condition of the ice or snow surface over which the toboggan travelsand regardlessof whether the toboggan is traveling downhill .or,a:side hillcourse.

Another object ,of the presentinvention is to provide an improved toboggan sled structure and-method for .producing the same including a unique fo-ldable handlearrangement and locking means therefore for ease ofhandling and increased patient comfort.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear-from the following specification and accompanying drawings wherein:

Patented Nov. 28, 1967 sled and method of assembly.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate identical parts in the various views, the toboggan structure as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a sled portion indicated generally at 1 and a harness portion indicated generally at 2.

The sled portion 1 comprises a shell structurehaving a generally flat bottom 3 with a slightl upwardly curved rear end portion 4 and an upwardly curved front section 6 forming a head piece as is conventional withtoboggan sleds. The sled also includes angularly upwardly extending side walls 7 and 8 which curve into the rear portion 4 and the head piece 6. As will be later explained, theshell of the sled is preferably fabricated from a material such as fiberglass or like material and is therefore unitary in structure and is molded about an internal strengtheningframe the details of which will be described in connection with the preferred method of forming the sled body. In addition, the sled shell may be provided with rope handles 9 for carrying the sled by hand as a stretcher. Conventional eyelets or other attaching means 11 may be provided on the insides of the walls 7 and 8 for attaching cross straps to secure the patient as is conventional with such devices.

As mentioned, the unitary shell of the sled portion is molded about an internal frame structure which provides strength and rigidity to the shell. The frame structure and its method of assembly is shown in FIGS. 4, 6

and 7. In the preferred form, the framing consists of right and left hand frame sections 12 and 13 respectively as shown in FIG. 7 with each of the sectionsincluding upper and lower generally parallel frame members 14 and 16 which may be constructed from lightweight tubular materialsuch as aluminum or any other suitable rigid tubing. The upper member 14 may constitute a straight tubing section running substantially the length of the sled body and the lower member 16 constitutes a tubing member of shorter length which hasan upwardly curved forwardend portion 17 rigidly connected to the forward end portion of the member 14. The tubular members may be welded or otherwise rigidly connected. The bottom frame member 16 need only be of relatively short extentsince the natural curvature of the unitary sled shell provides sufiicient strength at the junction of walls 7 :and8 and-bottom 3. A vertically projecting pivot braclret orthe like 18 may be secured to the top rail 14 near the -forward-end-of the sled to provide a pivotal attachment for therails of the harness 2 as will be presently described. The frame members may be strengthened by a firstbrace plate 19 in the area of bracket 18 and asec- .ond brace plate 21 located near the junction of the upper and lower rails. The plate 21 also provides securing means for the inwardly extending ear 22 which provides a pivotal mounting for the harness locking means as will bedescribed.

.Each of the frame sections are preassembled with the use of a template or jig and are then connected by means of a first flexible connector 23 at their front ends and a second flexible connector 24 at the rear ends as seen in FIG. 7. The flexible connectors '23 and 24 may comprise conventional rubber hoses or the like with the object of assembling the frame in the manner described being that of avoiding precise bending of frame elements to conform to the finished front and rear curvature of the sled body. With the side frames being formed as described and connected with the flexible members, the composite frame structure may be properly located in the form in which the fiberglass shell of the sled is fabricated. Conventional fiberglassing methods may be used to form the shell about the frame members as illustrated in FIG. 4 with the upper frame members 14 on each frame section and the front and rear flexible members 23 and 24 respectively forming a rounded welt that extends completely around the body of the sled to properly reinforce the upper edge of the shell. Once the fiberglass has been formed about the frame, the structure is ready for attachment of the harness and locking means presently to be described. If desired, a trailing rope 26 may be passed through the body of the shell and about the welt formed at the rear end of the sled to allow a second person to maintain a drag on the sled if so desired although such is not ess ntial to the operation of the toboggan.

The underside of the bottom 3 of the sled is provided with parallel runners 27, each of which includes a vertical blade 28 and an attaching flange 29 which is secured to the sled bottom 3 by means of rivets or the like as illustrated in FIG. 4. The bottom edge of each runner blade 28 is bevelled or inclined upwardly in the forward longitudinal direction as seen most clearly in FIG. 1 so that the wide portion of the blade is to the rear and the narrow portion of the blade is at the forward end. It will also be noted that the runner is located along the length of the sled body in such a, manner that the wide portion of the blade is to the rear of the center of the sled body and that the blade terminates a substantial distance forward of the end of the sled. With this blade arrangement, the longitudinal incline of the blade tends to provide a lifting action for the rear end of the sled as it is moved since the runners tend to ride upwardly on the surface of the snow or ice. When the sled is turned along its longitudinal course, the point about which the sled pivots will be in the area of the widened rear portion of the blades 28 rearwardly of the center of the sled and the extreme rear portion of the sled will be allowed to swing by virtue of the fact that the runners terminated a substantial distance short of the rear end. Since the pivot point is rearwardly of the center of the sled adequate leverage is provided when lateral pressure is exerted on the harness. In addition to being inclined or bevelled longitudinally, the runner blades 28 have their contact edges bevelled or inclined upwardly from the outside to the inside as at 31 as shown in FIG. 4. The transverse bevelling of the runner blades serves to prevent the sled from sliding downhill and out of control when traversing on a side hill course as is ofttimes necessary when in use.

In order to adapt the toboggan sled to the guide and manipulated by a person on skis, the previously mentioned harness portion 2 is provided at the forward end of the sled in the area of the head piece 6 as shown in FIG. 1. The harness 2 constitutes a pivotally mounted tubular frame structure which may be pivoted or folded rearwardly so as to overlie the sled portion or moved to a forward generally inclined position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.. Pivoting of the harness to the folded position so as to extend along and be supported on the sled facilitates transport of a toboggan on a ski tow or other means to the location of the patient. The forward incline position of the harness allows the skier to control and guide the sled when transporting a patient. In addition, a novel locking means is provided wherby the harness may be locked in a substantially fixed forward incline position as in the case of a Sun Valley type toboggan or may be allowed to freely pivot relative to the sled as in the case of a rickshaw type toboggan. Both of these arrangements provide particular advantages in different snow and terrain conditions as will be well understood by those familiar with toboggan handling.

The preferred form of the harness constitutes the parallel side rails 32 and 33 connected at their upper ends by means of the U-shaped yoke 34 which may be welded or otherwise fixed thereto. The yoke 34 may have downwardly curved forward end portions 36 with a rope or strap 37 being detachably connected therebetween. The yoke 34 provides body engaging means for the skier handling the toboggan and the curved end portions 36 facilitate grasping of the harness. The rope or strap 37 may be used to temporarily contact the skiers body to either pull the sled or to restrain the sled from slipping backwards which would be the case if the skier were being pulled uphill by means of a rope tow for instance. When guiding the toboggan downhill the U-shaped yoke contacts the skiers back and by this means and by grasping the handles 36 the skier is able to hold the sled and to turn it. The opposite ends of the side rails 32 and 33 are pivotally connected to the brackets 18 carried by the frame members 14 by means of the pivot bolt 38. As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the lower ends of the tubular side rails 32 and 33 are bifurcated so as to receive the bracket 18 and the pivot bolts 38 pass through the rails and the holes in the brackets. Since it is desirable to fabricate the harness from light weight tubing such as aluminum or other light weight metal, the lower ends of the rails are reinforced by short lengths of heavy steel or iron pipe 39. The pipe 39 will be of such a diameter as to be inserted into the tubing of the harness rail. The reinforcing members 39 will extend upwardly only a relatively short distance but at least to the position of the locking means so as to avoid bending the side rails when the rails are locked in their inclined position.

The braking means provided for the toboggan constitutes a length of chain or its equivalent 41 which has its end links connected to the lower portions of the harness rails as illustrated. The chain brake 41 is normally held inoperative by detachably connecting one of its links to a portion of the yoke 34 as illustrated in FIG. 1. When utilized as a brake, the chain 41 is allowed to fall downwardly and pass beneath the front end of the sled in order to drag and halt or retard the motion of the sled. Since the ends of the chain are connected to the rails 32 and 33, the brake may be applied at varying degrees when the harness is allowed to freely pivot instead of being locked.

The locking means for holding the harness rigid constitutes two identical locking assemblies 42 connected to the sled body by means of the ears or brackets 22 fixed to the internal frame of the sled as previously described. The details of the locks are shown most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 the locking assemblies are in engagement with the side rails 32 and 33 and may be pivoted to the release position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4 when it is desired to allow the harness to freely pivot. Each locking assembly comprises a fiat metal plate 43 pivotally connected to the brackets 22 by pivot bolt 44. Plates 43 have slots or notches 46 in their outboard edges of a sufficient width to allow a slight amount of movement of the rails when engaged and locked. Each plate 43 includes a pivoted keeper or latch 47 which is pivoted to the upper end of the plate by means of a bolt or pin 48 and is formed with a notch 49 of sufiicient dimension to receive the harness rail as shown in FIG. 5. The keepers 47 will be so located as to be held in the engaged position by gravity once the plates 43 are engaged with the rails and the keeper isv dropped over the rail. To disengage the locks, it is merely necessary to lift the keeper 47 and to pivot the plate 43 inwardly to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 4.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides novel and useful improvements to rescue toboggans and toboggan stretchers of the character described. It will also be understood that the arrangement and types of structural components utilized may be subjected to numerous modifications and variations well within the purview of this invention. Applicant herein intends only to be limited to the liberal interpretation of the specification and appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A rescue toboggan comprising; a sled body, a harness frame, one end of said frame terminating in laterally spaced side rails, means to pivotally connect said rails to the sled body adjacent one end thereof, said harness frame being movable between a folded position overlying the sled body and an extended operating position so as to project beyond said one end of the sled body in an upwardly inclined direction, and selectively engageable lock means for locking said harness frame in the extended position, said locking means comprising first and second lock members, means to pivotally mount said lock members on the sled body to swing in a path to engage the respective rails of the harness frame when said frame is moved to the extended position, each of said lock members having a slot therein for reception of the respective rails, and keeper means on each lock member in engagement with the associated rail, whereby said harness frame may be pivoted to the folded position for transport and pivoted to the extended position for operating in a locked and unlocked position.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein, said keeper means comprises; a latch, means to pivotally mount said latch to said lock member so as to be swingable across the slot therein, said latch being so formed as to provide a hook portion adapted to engage the associated rail of the harness frame, said pivotal mounting means being located so as to allow said latch to fall by gravity into engagement with the associated rail when the rail is engaged within the slot in said locking members.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein, said harness frame includes a yoke member having forwardly extending handles and a cross member extending therebetween, said yoke member being fixedly attached to the forward ends of said rails.

4. The device according to claim 3 wherein, said handles are downwardly curved at their forward ends, and a detachable cross member extending between the forward ends of said handles.

5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein, said sled body is fabricated from an integral shell of hardened nonmetallic material, said body including a bottom having upwardly curved front and rear ends and side walls extending therebetween, right and left metal body frames, said frames including tubular side members extending substantially the length of the sled body, and flexible tubular connectors connecting the front and rear ends of said tubular side members, said tubular side members and said connectors forming a strengthening welt completely around the upper edge of the sled body, the material of the body being formed about said body frames and said connectors so as to incorporate them into the sled body.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein, said means to pivotally connect said rails comprises; a first rigid bracket fixed to each of the body frames adjacent the forward ends thereof and pivot pin means connecting the rails to said first brackets respectively.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein, said body frames are provided with second rigid brackets, and means to pivotally connect said lock means to said second brackets.

8. In a rescue toboggan having a sled body and a draft harness frame with laterally spaced side rails pivotally connected to one end of the sled body, lock means for locking the harness in an extended position with the rails in an outwardly and upwardly inclined position comprising; first and second swingable lock members, means to pivotally mount said lock members on the sled body to swing in a path to engage the respective rails of the harness frame when said frame is moved to the extended position, each of said lock members having a slot therein for reception of the respective rails, and keeper means on each lock member for holding the lock member in engagement with the associated rail.

9. The device according to claim 8 wherein; said keeper means comprises; a latch, means to pivotally mount said latch to said lock member so as to be swingable across the slot therein, said latch being so formed as to provide a hook portion adapted to engage the associated rail of the harness frame, said pivotal mounting means being located so as to allow said latch to fall by gravity into engagement with the associated rail when the rail is engaged within the slot in said locking members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,202,437 8/1965 Masbruch 280l8 3,222,080 12/ 1965 Kinraide 280-18 BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

L. D. MORRIS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A RESCUE TOBOGGAN COMPRISING: A SLED BODY, A HARNESS FRAME, ONE END OF SAID FRAME TERMINATING IN LATERALLY SPACED SIDE RAILS, MEANS TO PIVOTALLY CONNECT SAID RAILS TO THE SLED BODY ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF, SAID HARNESS FRAME BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN A FOLDED POSITION OVERLYING THE SLED BODY AND AN EXTENDED OPERATING POSITION SO AS TO PROJECT BEYOND SAID ONE END OF THE SLED BODY IN AN UPWARDLY INCLINED DIRECTION, AND SELECTIVELY ENGAGEABLE LOCK MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID HARNESS FRAME IN THE EXTENDED POSITION, SAID LOCKING MEANS COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND LOCK MEMBERS, MEANS TO PIVOTALLY MOUNT SAID LOCK MEMBERS ON THE SLED BODY TO SWING IN A PATH TO ENGAGE THE RESPECTIVE RAILS OF THE HARNESS FRAME WHEN SAID FRAME IS MOVED TO THE EXTENDED POSITION, EACH OF SAID LOCK MEMBERS HAVING A SLOT THEREIN FOR RECEPTION OF THE RESPECTIVE RAILS, AND KEEPER MEANS ON EACH LOCK MEMBER IS ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ASSOCIATED RAIL, WHEREBY SAID HARNESS FRAME PIVOTED TO THE EXTENDED POSITION FOR OPERATING IN A LOCKED AND UNLOCKED POSITION. 